Slightly off the beaten track, this gastropub has a local feel and caters for local workers. The pub forms part of a handsome Art Deco building. The striking bar area catches the eye - Formica tables, bold red and black lino flooring - and the dining area is wood panelled with private, dark leather booths: the kind of place you can picture "Wyndham Lewis" sneering at you over lunch. Apparently under new (or perhaps just revitalised) management, the service gets the thumbs up, with all the staff pulling their weight and keeping cool on a busy night. Decent beer on the pumps - Black sheep and Broadside when we were in last - is a welcome change. Although it was busy the place remained fairly relaxed as the evening wore on. We're glad to see improvements and it's definitely worth a look if you're in the area and want something a bit different.

From Chancery Lane, head down Grays Inn Road. Cross over the junction with Theobald's/Clerkenwell Roads and Roger Street is 2nd on your left. From Holborn, head along High Holborn as far as Chancery Lane. Take a left into Grays Inn Road and then follow directions above. From Russell Square, turn right out of the tube station, then next right. Walk along Guilford Street and past Great Ormond Street hospital. After the hospital, take the third right, into Doughty Mews. After a while, Doughty Mews curves round to the left and turns into Roger Street.